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Peace never took risks that would unbalance the books and jeopardise the Club's stable financial footing.

Guochuan Lai paid Peace in the region of £200 million last July for his 88 per cent controlling stake in the Club through WBA Holdings Limited.

The purchase was led by Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Limited group, an asset management company with three investment strands linked to Lai.

Neil Reynolds, Chairman of Shareholders for Albion (S4A), does not see a change of tack from Lai and the Board.

"They will continue to spend within their means and won't overspend trying to get into the top six," Reynolds said.

"I think they will try to improve year on year and I do think there will be pressure on Tony Pulis to get into the top ten again.

The latest on Guochuan Lai's takeover

"Jeremy Peace did not put in his own money and the club made money year on year.

"Our understanding is that Lai won't put in any of his personal wealth.

"It depends on his motives for buying the Club in the first place.

"But I think they will spend only what they generate."

More money for new players could arrive from Palm Eco-Town Development Company, which was last week announced as the Club's new shirt sponsors.

Lai stepped down as a general manager of Palm in 2014, but is understood to be a director of several subsidiaries.

The sponsorship deal is likely to raise West Brom's profile in the Far East.

As will Albion's participation in the Premier League Asia Trophy being held in Hong Kong in July.

While the Club's spending strategy is expected to continue in the same vein as under Peace, Pulis will have access to club-record sums of cash thanks to an influx of money from the Premier League's £5.14 billion TV rights deal.

The deal saw broadcasters bag the rights for top flight games between 2016 and 2019 and only now is the money beginning to filter through to clubs.